Masi, Mr. Speaker. I spoke earlier about the Tlicho All-Season Road to Whati. I would like to ask the Minister of Infrastructure: just how certain is the Minister that the contractor has met all of the requirements for Tlicho construction labour and Tlicho business operation as outlined in the contract signed between the three parties? Masi, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Member for Monfwi. Minister of Infrastructure.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is my understanding from the department that the contractor is meeting all of their requirements under the negotiated contract or the contract for employment of hiring of Tlicho citizens. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
That leads into my next question. I understand that there have been some changes in catering contractors at the site. How is it that the catering contract at the site wound up in the hands of an American firm, the Aramark American catering company, that is on site right now?
I am not 100 percent sure of the question. If it is just to ask why an American company has ended up on site, it is my understanding that the way the contract was worded, it was about employment of Tlicho citizens, not of that specific company. However, I could clarify that for the Member and return with a written answer if he would like.
We are talking about two areas: the hiring and, also, business opportunity. This is a business opportunity for Tlicho companies, local companies, but they missed their opportunity.
I will move on to a third question. I am assuming, as with any other government contract, that the process will follow to favour northern hires, northern businesses. What was the process that allowed a non-Tlicho, not just a non-NWT, but rather an American firm to service the Tlicho All-Season Road project, especially when they are operating in Monfwi borders?
I would agree with the Member that we have all had lots of discussions around ensuring that northern businesses are used on northern contracts. I can't speak to the specifics of knowing, in this particular contract, details, but it is my understanding from the department that this has all been within the contract that was set forward and negotiated between the Government of the Northwest Territories and the Tlicho as well as the third party. It is my understanding that that was all decided upon together as a group. I am concerned to hear of businesses that are coming from not only southern Canada but from the US and taking work. It is definitely something I spoke to during my campaign. All I can do is commit to the Member that we will look at this and learn lessons from this and move forward.
Thank you, Minister. Final supplementary, Member for Monfwi.
Masi, Mr. Speaker. I still can't believe, in this day and age, that we are allowing an American firm operating on our traditional land. It is very difficult to accept. I would like to proceed with the next question. Is the project meeting the commitments to use the minimum participation rate of northern and Indigenous participation? Who is monitoring this? Masi.
It is my understanding from the department that, yes, they are meeting the requirements of the contract for northern and Tlicho engagement or employment. However, I will commit to the Member, if he would like to have a further discussion with the department, we can bring departmental staff, and we can have a conversation about the monitoring that is happening to assure the Member that we are committed to engaging and working with northern companies and northern employees. Thank you.
Thank you, Minister. Oral question. Member for Deh Cho.
